Jordan on a bike with a Marlboro logo on it. Man, he must have wanted this BAD.image--thanks ducati

MICHAEL JORDAN RIDES DUCATI DESMOSEDICI!

Basketball legend Michael Jordan made his MotoGP debut at Valencia today, riding the Ducati Desmosedici two-seater! Recognised as the greatest basketball player of all time Jordan rode four laps of the tortuous Spanish circuit in company with four MotoGP full-timers - Sete Gibernau, Colin Edwards, Kenny Roberts Junior and Kurtis Roberts.

A keen motorcyclist since the age of five, Jordan is a racetrack regular in the United States, where he runs the Jumpman23.com team fielding Montez Stewart in AMA Supersport and Superstock. The six-time NBA champion is also an enthusiastic street rider, owning a Ducati 998 and 999 amongst a substantial two-wheel stable. Jordan flew to Spain in his private jet, with the simple idea of watching this weekend's Valencia GP, the final event of the 2004 season. But then he found himself getting talked into taking a ride on Ducati's 230-plus horsepower V4.

"It was Sete who talked me into it!" Laughed the six foot six giant. Who wore a custom-made set of Alpinestars leathers. "That was fun, but I only got it up to fourth gear, I can't imagine what these things are like wide open in sixth! The straightaways were no problem, but I was trying to find the markers for the corners, then I had these other guys riding alongside tapping me on the leg! These things have so much power, I was trying to pull a wheelie, but in the end I was a bit too afraid, so I just started waving! I guess you could say I need a bit more time to get used to all that power."

Jordan smiles big with Randy Mamola in tow.image: thanks, ducati

Before the ride Jordan got to meet Ducati Team riders Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss, while regular two-seater rider Randy Mamola explained the layout of the Desmosedici. "I've been into bikes pretty much all my life, I started riding dirt bikes when I was five," added the former Chicago Bulls player. "And I really like this whole MotoGP thing. Maybe I'd like to have a team one day, but I'm only learning this whole deal right now."